CHAPTER V.
OPENING OF THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE.
1810.
Development of Querétaro — Affairs in Guanajuato — The Town of Dolores — Its Cura, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla — Secret Meetings of Revolutionists — Ignacio Allende — Plotting at San Miguel General — Plan of Uprising — Hidalgo's Biography — Arrests — The Corregidor Imprisoned — His Acquittal — His Biography — El Grito de Dolores — Hidalgo Marches to San Miguel — A Tumultuous Array — The Sacred Banner — Success of the Insurgents at San Miguel — Pillaging — Hidalgo Proclaimed Captain-general — He Enters Celaya — He Appoints a New Ayuntamiento
From the time when Viceroy Velasco made grants of town lots arid agricultural lands to settlers in Querétaro,[1] the progress of that place was rapid. Beautifully situated in a sheltered valley, the fertility of the soil and the pureness of the air invited immigrants from the capital and other populous towns lying to the south. In 1592 municipal books were opened, and henceforward its prosperity was such that in 1655 Felipe IV. elevated it to the rank of city, with the appellation of Santiago de Querétaro, and the honorable title of muy noble y real ciudad. A coat of arms was also granted, significant of the miraculous manifestation witnessed by the opposing armies in that strange battle which was fought in 1531.[2] The
- ↑ Consult Hist. Mex., vol. ii. 544-5, this series.
- ↑ See Id., 540-4. The arms consisted of a cross with the sun for its pedestal and a bright star on either side. The figure of Santiago on horseback occupies the dexter base, and a palm tree and other plants the sinister base. The whole is surmounted by the royal arms of Castile and Leon. I give herewith a plan of the city from Quere.taro, Orden. que para la Division. See also Zelaa é Hidalgo Glorias de Quer., 2-3, containing plan of city, p. 243.
